14 



HARRISON'S NURSERIES, BERLIN. MD. 



THE APPLE 



There is no fruit gn"own that is as staple as the Apple, none can be so nearly distributed to the four 

 quarters of the world in its natural state with so little expense of packing or in a more economical package, 

 and there is no fruit that will receive the uninterrupted demand for so long a season. The foreign demand 

 for our commercial Apples is so rapidly increasing and th6*home consumption so great over this vast domain 

 that the theory of overproduction must crum Die and give way to the real facts that the production can 

 hardly be so great but that remunerative prices will always be obtained, and since there are seasons in 

 which partial failures will occur in some portions of the country, which is frequently the case, the fruit- 

 arrower will then be far in advance in dollars and cents of the ordinary tiller of the soil. 



No fruit is more in demand, more universally liked, or more generally used than the Apple. Its uses are 

 many and of inestimable value. The earliest varieties commence to ripen the latter part of June, and the 

 later varieties can be kept until the coming of the early kinds the following year, making it a fruit in 

 perfection the entire year. 



The Apple is a world-renowned fruit of temperate climates: although not possessed of the richness, 

 melting and delicious qualities of the pear or peach, yet its grreat adaptation to a great variety of soils, 

 together with the long time through which many varieties may be kept in a fresh state, its various uses, and 

 the profits accruing from it as a market fruit, it must be regarded as holding the very first rank among the 

 fruits. There is no section of country where it attains such perfection as it does in this, nor where its culti- 

 vation can be made more profitable than in Virginia, West Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania, although 

 there may be other States equally as well adapted, in fact our own State. Is is evident that some Apples that 

 are highly esteemed in one locality are worthless when removed to another soil or climate of a different 

 character; hence comes so mucn disappointment and loss to those who have planted Northern Winter varie- 

 ties which have for most part Decome Fall Apples. Every orchard planter who examines the extended varie- 

 ties of fruits presented to mm in the books and by the nurserymen must feel greatly embarrassed when he 

 comes to select varieties for his own orchard. Almost every one in the long list is recommended for some 

 good quality, and the number of best, which he is apt to include, means indispensable for him. Some 

 persons commit a great fault by attempting to grrasp all the varieties that are offered; it is far better for him 

 who is about to plant an orchard, either large or small, to determine which varieties are best adapted for his 

 purpose. For the small planter, who is providing for the wants of the family, a number of varieties that will 

 ripen in quick successiun will be best, and the sorts should be selected with regard to their qualities for 

 household use. The planter of extensive commercial orchards will need but a limited number of varieties, 

 which should be selected with a view to the wants of the market he intends supplying as well as the pro- 

 ductiveness of the fruit and its ability to bear transportation. While it is desirable to have but a few well 

 selected varieties in such an orchard, it must be remembered that even when there is a general failure of the 

 crop there are always some sorts that bear fruit, and this is an argument against making the list too small. 

 Every planter should observe the fruits that succeed in his own neighborhood, and upon soils similar to his 

 own, and select his own accordingly. In making up our judgment of what constitutes a good Apple so 

 much depends on the taste of the individuals who have the question to decide; after all every one is left 

 the question for his own particular case. Our descriptive list embraces the most popular varieties, although 

 not as long a list as some, it is selected with special care. 



The above is a bundle of our three-year York Imperial Apple Trees, pulled after the tree-digger had 

 Jsed. Note the excellent roots and perfect tops. After being pulled they are hauled direct to the packing 



house, tied in bundles, puddled in mud, boxed, mossed, put on board cars from packing house without any 



exposure, started by fast express or freight for the planter. 



